dmims Chapter 164 I could tell at a glance that this old Japanese devil had ill intentions!
Chapter 164 I could tell at a glance that this old Japanese devil had ill intentions!
"Mr. Chu, Mr. Fingel, welcome to Japan. The vehicles are ready. Please follow me."
Ryuji Saeki bowed slightly to the two of them again, and then invited them to get into the car.
A black Toyota Century sedan glided silently along the highway leading to downtown Tokyo.
The atmosphere inside the car was somewhat somber.
"Should we be sent directly to the headquarters of the Enforcement Bureau?" Lu Mingfei broke the silence, using a declarative sentence rather than a question.
Lu Mingfei wanted to ask about the next steps in order to prepare for the next course of action.
Ryuji Saeki turned slightly to the side from the passenger seat and said:
"No, Team Leader Lu. The head of the organization believes that you all have had a long journey and should rest first. Rooms have already been arranged for you at the Peninsula Hotel."
It wasn't a safe house arranged by the enforcement bureau, but a top-tier hotel.
This is both a high-level reception and a gesture of drawing a clear line—you are guests, not superiors or partners.
"The head of the family is very thoughtful."
Lu Mingfei nodded noncommittally, his gaze fixed on the city scenery rushing past the window.
Over the past decade or so, Tokyo seems to have changed little, remaining a bustling, sophisticated yet somewhat indifferent steel jungle.
It's similar to what he saw in the anime before.
This is what Tokyo looks like inside.
I wonder how many anime-like romances are unfolding in this city right now?
For example, classic heroines like Haruko Akagi or Taiga Aisaka...
Check-in was smooth, and the suite was so luxurious that Finger was amazed, holding his tablet and studying the room service menu.
Chu Zihang immediately checked every corner of the room to make sure there was nothing that shouldn't be there.
It's safe to say they're a reliable external brain; they're always dependable when it comes to getting things done.
Not long after settling in, Saeki Ryuji conveyed the formal arrangements made by the Snake-Headed Eight Families:
"The head of the family, Mr. Kikumasamune, will meet with you all at 10:00 AM tomorrow in the conference room of Genji Heavy Industries."
That night,
Lu Mingfei stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of his hotel room, overlooking the dazzling night view of Tokyo Bay.
Chu Zihang walked silently to his side.
"It doesn't feel right."
Chu Zihang remained concise and to the point.
"Ah."
Lu Mingfei should answer.
"It was too formal, so formal that it seemed like it had been rehearsed many times. They wanted to use this formulaic reception to isolate us from the truth."
"Do you need me to go out and check things out tonight?" Chu Zihang asked.
With his current skills, it wouldn't be difficult for him to infiltrate places and gather intelligence.
Moreover, even the mixed-race Japanese people at the entrance couldn't stop him.
But Lu Mingfei shook his head:
"Not for now. Let's see what Kikumasamune has to say tomorrow."
There's no such thing as fighting as soon as you meet someone; besides, the enjoyment of the fight is his business, right?
Chu Zihang just needs to act as an external brain.
At 9:50 a.m. the next day, Lu Mingfei, Chu Zihang, and Fingel, who was barely dressed in a proper suit (although his shirt collar was still open), arrived at the Genji Heavy Industries Building on time.
This is not an official visit, so uniforms are not allowed.
Otherwise, Lu Mingfei would have had to walk in wearing his own young general's uniform.
This iconic building stands in the city center, exuding an austere atmosphere.
Guided by Ryuji Saeki, they took a private elevator directly to the top-floor conference room.
The conference room door was pushed open, and at the other end of the long conference table sat the unfamiliar man.
Kiku Masamune!
"Welcome, Mr. Lu, Mr. Chu, Mr. Fingel."
Kiku Masamune stood up, nodded slightly, and was very courteous.
But Lu Mingfei vaguely felt that something was missing.
That's normal, after all, it's a cabinet.
It would be abnormal to show them warmth.
Moreover, this time they came to demand an explanation.
"Please take a seat."
After both sides took their seats and exchanged brief pleasantries, the talks got straight to the point.
"Regarding the transnational mixed-race trafficking case you mentioned," Tachibana Masamune said calmly.
"On behalf of the Snake-Headed Eight Family, I express my regret. Within Japan, we have always been committed to maintaining stability and order in mixed-race societies. Regarding the leads you provided, we have conducted an internal investigation and have not yet found any evidence that is clearly related to this case."
Standard official language, watertight.
Lu Mingfei leaned forward slightly, placed his hands crossed on the table, a faint smile on his face, but his eyes sharpened:
"Chief Kiku, let's not beat around the bush. Hundreds of mixed-race individuals have entered Japan through various channels. Such a huge commotion, if you say the Snake-Headed Eight Families were completely unaware, it's hard to convince the public. Besides, we brothers didn't come here to listen to diplomatic rhetoric."
He paused, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable pressure:
"We need the truth, and we also need cooperation. If the Snake Clan finds it difficult to handle, or has some unspeakable difficulties, we can help!"
"But the prerequisite is... honesty!"
The air in the conference room froze instantly.
The elders behind Kiku Masamune, including the old man who was still the head of the family, had slightly changed their expressions, while several young men subconsciously reached for the hilts of their swords at their waists.
However, Lu Mingfei and his companions remained completely calm in the face of this situation.
Chu Zihang coldly swept his gaze across the other side, while Fingel had an expression of watching a good show, and even subtly adjusted the angle of his phone.
Kiku Masamune remained silent for a moment, then met Lu Mingfei's gaze. An invisible spark seemed to ignite within them.
Finally, he spoke slowly, his tone still calm, but the content of his words had subtly changed:
“Lu-kun, the situation in Japan is more complicated than you imagine. Some ancient agreements cannot be easily broken even by the patriarch.”
He then changed the subject: "However, since you insist, we can provide some... limited assistance. The Executive Bureau will assign a specialist to cooperate with your investigation in Japan. But please remember to abide by our rules and not cross certain... bottom lines."
Limited assistance, rules, and bottom lines.
Lu Mingfei understood his implication: there was probably internal resistance within the Snake Clan, or external constraints.
They are willing to make things easier for him, but how far the investigation can go depends on Lu Mingfei's own abilities, and certain sensitive areas cannot be touched.
But for some reason, talking to this old Japanese soldier always made Lu Mingfei feel a little irritated.
I always felt that this old guy had some bad intentions.
“Sure.” Lu Mingfei leaned back in his chair, flashing a standard eight-tooth smile. “It’s good to have assistance. Then… I’ll trouble Patriarch Ju to arrange a ‘reliable’ guide.”
The talks ended in an atmosphere that appeared harmonious on the surface but was actually fraught with tension.
As Lu Mingfei left Genji Heavy Industries, he could feel the complex gazes on his back.
"Brother, what do you think?"
"Get into the car," Lu Mingfei asked.
Chu Zihang pondered for a moment and said, "Kiku Masamune didn't lie completely, but he concealed the key. The 'ancient agreement' and 'bottom line' he mentioned might be the breakthrough point."
"Or..." Chu Zihang hesitated for a moment, "...should we call Lao Wang and ask?"
But at that moment, Fingel interjected, "That kid named Saeki looks like he's spying on us. We need to find a way to shake him off and go it alone."
He seemed to have a lot of issues with that guy named Saeki...
Looking out the window at the cold exterior of Genji Heavy Industries, Lu Mingfei pondered for a moment and then said...
"No rush, let's see who this 'guide' they've assigned us is first. Take our time..."
He sensed that this trip to Japan would probably not be just a simple show of force and diplomatic negotiations as he had imagined.
Beneath the surface of the water, the hidden currents are far more turbulent than what is visible.
However... Fingel is right, it's not good to have a little tail following you around when you're doing something important.